Experiential Education (IPPEs and APPEs)

Introductory pharmacy practice experiences (IPPEs)

In the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, students participate in Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs) to gain actual practice experiences in community and institutional settings and as appropriate, assume direct patient care responsibilities. Through IPPEs, students practice and strengthen their patient care skills through a wide array of pharmacy practice experiences. The IPPEs complement the didactic curriculum and involve a variety of experiences including shadowing pharmacists, interviewing and counseling patients, developing and utilizing specialized skills such as immunization delivery, and participating in community health screenings and fairs. These introductory experiences prepare students for the final stages of the curriculum.

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Advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs)

Beginning in spring of the 3rd year, students complete Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs). APPEs are offered in hospitals, outpatient facilities and community clinics. Through APPEs, students apply formal classroom training to the pharmacy practice, developing the clinical skills to function effectively in a variety of practice environments. Students spend approximately 40 hours a week at their practice sites as part of the clinical curriculum. Since patient care is continuous, some practice experiences fall outside of the traditional 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM workday. For example, some practice experiences require students to attend ward rounds in the hospital which frequently begin as early as 6:00 AM and at times students are involved with patient care situations as late as 11:00 PM; some responsibilities to patients may occur on weekends.

In all of the APPEs, students are under the supervision of pharmacists who are members of the faculty and who also provide patient-oriented pharmaceutical services. Since the locations of APPEs vary, a car may be a necessary resource during this portion of the program.

Approximately 60% of the students in the Pharmaceutical Care pathway complete their APPEs in Davis, Fresno, Los Angeles / Orange County, North Bay, and the South Bay. Entering students should understand that they may be required to complete their APPEs at a location other than San Francisco.

All students complete the following 28 units of core APPEs:

Course descriptions

A supervised experience where students will develop and explore their current and potential roles as a pharmacist in hospital practice with an emphasis on systems to promote safe and effective medication use to optimize patient outcomes. There are three core areas that are included in hospital systems and pharmacy practice rotations: 1. Therapeutic interventions; 2. Medication preparation and distribution and; 3. Systems management. Year 3, Spring; Year 4, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring: 7 units

A supervised experience where students will develop and explore their current and potential roles as a pharmacist in community practice. These roles relate to therapy interventions, product delivery and operations management. Practice settings (e.g., independent, chain, institution) will differ with respect to patient population, disease acuity, availability of patient-specific information and scope of practice. Year 3, Spring; Year 4, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring: 7 units

CP 148 Acute Patient Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

A supervised pharmacy experience where students develop and explore their roles as part of an interprofesional healthcare team, sharing responsibility with patients, caregivers and other health care professionals for drug therapy outcomes in acute care settings. Year 3, Spring; Year 4, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring: 7 units

CP 149 Ambulatory Patient Care Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience

A supervised pharmacy experience where students develop and explore their roles on an interprofessional healthcare team, sharing responsibility with patients, caregivers and other health professionals for drug therapy outcomes. Practice settings (e.g., clinics, home care services, long term facilities) will differ with respect to patient population, disease acuity, availability of patient-specific information and scope of practice. Year 3, Spring; Year 4, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring: 7 units